The Balearic Minister of Health, Manuela García, has acknowledged that the regional government will ‘respect’ the ban on smoking on terraces as determined by the new anti-smoking law, although she has called for measures that go ‘further’ to protect young people from taking up smoking. This was the response of the Health Minister when asked by PSIB MP Patricia Gómez about her position on the new anti-smoking regulations.
García also called for measures to help active smokers quit and to protect non-smokers. In this regard, she detailed the contributions made by the regional government to the draft bill to achieve a ‘smoke-free’ society. As the sale of vaping devices and electronic cigarettes is regulated, the addition of CBD or flavourings to them will be prohibited, and the points of sale for nicotine pouches will be restricted.
‘Today, a completely watered-down law is being passed that has not satisfied anyone. One of the most effective measures is generic packaging, but the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, María Jesús Montero, has ruled it out because it would have a negative impact on tax revenue,’ she stressed.
At the same time, she argued that the regulation of vape sales is also ‘at risk,’ which is why she questioned who the measure protects, while reading a headline indicating that tobacco companies had hired former senior officials from the PSOE and Sumar governments during this legislative process.
‘Tobacco is harmful to health, but so is the central government’s political inconsistency,’ she concluded.
The new Anti-Smoking Law will not allow smoking in work vehicles, educational centres, including outdoor spaces such as school playgrounds and university campuses; sports facilities, public swimming pools, bus shelters and the exteriors of nightclubs will also be smoke-free, according to the Minister of Health.